Harry the man after hat-trick heroics

HARRY Halpin has become the second Rovers teenager in as many weeks to claim a hattrick, tearing through Norths’ bottom order to seal the team’s first victory of the season.

Not a bad effort when you consider Halpin had never taken a second grade wicket before.

Halpin was mobbed by his Rovers teammates after the third dismissal, recreating the exciting scenes from a week ago when teenager Henry King claimed the same feat in first grade.

Halpin had taken seven wickets in as many games in third grade before getting the call-up.

Halpin’s first wicket hit the top of off through bat and pad with his Rovers teammates celebrating loudly as he claimed his first wicket.

The next ball, Ildephonse Fabila chops back on to the stumps removing himself for a duck.

The teenager takes a deep breath at the start of his runup, comes in, hits Sam Musgrove on the pad, plumb in front. “To get the first wicket being my first in second grade was pretty special,” Halpin said.

“Then to do it again the very next ball and putting myself on the hat-trick was even better.

“The last ball, when I took the hat-trick, I just couldn’t explain the feeling.

“I turned around as I was appealing and saw the umpire nodding and the team just got around me.” Rovers second grade captain Michael Daffy said he was thrilled to be part of it. “Good to get the first win of the season out of the way,” Daffy said.

“It is great for him and great for everyone who was there, to wrap up the game like that was great to be a part of.

“Feel bad for Henry (King) because his hat-trick was short-lived in the spotlight but it is great signs for the club.”

Rovers won by 43 runs.